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A recent study conducted by researchers at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany suggests that reducing social media usage by just 30 minutes daily can significantly enhance mental health and work-related satisfaction and commitment.
In the contemporary digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of people’s lives. However, the study underscores the adverse impact of excessive social media use on mental health, often leading users to experience Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and impacting job satisfaction.
Associate Professor Julia Brailovskaia from the Mental Health Research and Treatment Center at Ruhr University Bochum explains, “Social networks offer a refuge from work-related stress and a means to seek positive emotions. Yet, prolonged use can lead to addictive behaviors, ultimately affecting mental health negatively.”
The research, published in the journal Behaviour and Information Technology, involved 166 participants engaged in various professions and spending a minimum of 35 daily minutes on non-work-related social media activity.
In the experiment, participants were divided into two groups: one maintaining their usual social media usage, while the other reduced their daily social media interaction by 30 minutes over a seven-day period.
The study monitored participants’ mental health, job satisfaction, workload, stress levels, FoMO, and indications of addictive social media use through questionnaires administered before, during, and after the experiment.
Remarkably, the group that reduced their social media usage reported enhanced job satisfaction, reduced feelings of being overworked, and improved mental health compared to the control group. Moreover, their FoMO decreased, and these positive effects endured for at least a week after the experiment’s conclusion.
Brailovskaia highlighted the adverse impact of constant digital distraction, stating, “Frequent interruptions for social media engagement impede work focus and productivity, leading to lower-quality outcomes.”
The study’s findings underline the significance of curtailing social media use, allowing individuals more dedicated time for work-related tasks, consequently reducing feelings of being overwhelmed and enhancing commitment and satisfaction at work.
